Royal Marines Cadets

If you're looking for a real challenge, this could be for you....

Part of the Sea Cadets family, Royal Marines Cadets enjoy all the exciting activities on water that Sea Cadets do, as well as branching off into serious adventure training too. Specialising in orienteering, field craft and weapons handling is what makes Royal Marines Cadets unique and you can join from the age of 13 to 18.

Before I joined the Royal Marines Cadets, I was a quiet and not very confident person. But over the years, I went up through the ranks, and became the first female in Scotland to be a Cadet Sergeant and the first female Section Commander in the Gibraltar Cup. I still lack a little self-confidence, but I know the only opinions that matter are those of my detachment; no matter what happens, we will always be a team.

Cadet Sergeant Amy

Test yourself

As you hone your skills, you can compete at the Gibraltar Cup at the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre in Devon, testing yourself on the famous assault course. It’s an incredible and unforgettable experience.

Across the UK

There are 127 Royal Marines Cadets Detachments within Sea Cadets units across the UK, all led by the Captain Sea Cadets, a serving Royal Navy Captain. The Captain Sea Cadets is supported by our Staff Royal Marines Officer, a serving Colour Sergeant in the Royal Marines, both are on secondment from the Royal Navy to Sea Cadets.

While you're doing this

Orienteering across Dartmoor, travelling abroad, rock-climbing, rowing, ceremonial drill and parading with a band, first aid, engineering, even weather-forecasting and power-boating…. and getting badges to prove it, perhaps taking part in national competitions…

…You’ll get all this

You’ll become confident in new situations. Feel more in charge of yourself and know how to make a good impression.

You’ll find you want to listen to others with more experience in life than you because you’ll quickly see how it gets you to where you want to go.

In turn, you’ll learn how to support people who are less experienced than you, which you can use to captain a sports team and stand out in interviews.

And think how it would feel to be able to walk into a room and feel at ease speaking with anyone!

You’ll gain positive habits and thinking that will last a lifetime.

I don’t give up’ will become just how you think!

And skills and qualifications

You’ll get all the support you need to show what you’re made of, whether or not you shine at school.

With Royal Marines cadets you gain qualifications:

Duke of Edinburgh's Award

Royal Yachting Association qualifications

BTEC’s in Marine Engineering, Public Service & Citizenship and Music

British Canoeing Union qualifications

At school

Most cadets find that what they learn at Sea Cadets makes it easier to listen and focus at school, and be organised. This can make keeping up with schoolwork less stressful, and gives you more time for other things.

Standing up in front of other people to give a presentation will usually become less scary too. You might even come to enjoy it! And you won’t be afraid of putting your hand up in class and joining in.

"I used to hang around streets, play out every night. I was naughty and cheeky. Since I joined, it's all stopped. And my grades at school have gone up quite a lot."

Louis, 13, Huyton

Getting a job

You’ll know how to present yourself well, so people will welcome and remember you. And supporting workmates to be the best they can be will be something you’re used to and really valuable to an employer.

Using your initiative will be second nature. And listening to instruction and accepting feedback without being offended will help you do well once you’ve got that job!

When can you join?

You can join as a Junior Cadet when you are 10, and enjoy summer camps and making new friends as you head towards becoming a Royal Marines Cadet at 13.

Ready?

Head to our Unit Finder and put your postcode in to find the Sea Cadets units and Royal Marines Cadets detachments nearest to you. You can then contact them directly to arrange a visit and discuss joining up. They'll be delighted to welcome you!

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